Wheelchairs.

withy

Registered User
Feb 23, 2013
95
0
Lancashire
Please can someone advise me on wheelchairs. I borrowed one for my husband so that I could take him for a walk with our grandchildren. He nearly fell out and also kept putting his feet down on the ground. I would like one that can go on unsurfaced roads, is lightweight and foldable and has a lap belt and foot restraints.
I would be grateful for any help.
 

Izzy

Volunteer Moderator
Aug 31, 2003
73,994
0
72
Dundee
I don't know how things work in your area but I got our wheelchair through the GP. He got the district nurse service to refer me to the department which issues NHS wheelchairs. I had to give my husband's measurements so that we got a chair suitable for him. I asked for a folding one so I could get it in the car boot. The first one I got was too heavy for me lifting into the boot so I contacted them and was given a lightweight one. I was used to wheelchairs so didn't need this but the chap who brought it was ready to advise me on the correct way to use it.


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TinaT

Registered User
Sep 27, 2006
7,097
0
Costa Blanca Spain
I bought a lighter weight (not all that light as I found when lifting the folded chair up into the boot of my car) by looking on the specialist sites on the internet. I couldn't use the one which was given to my husband by the OT which was altogether too heavy for me top lift into the car at all.

xxTinaT
 

Chuggalug

Registered User
Mar 24, 2014
8,007
0
Norfolk
Withy, I always buy my own chairs, but do ask your GP. If you can get a chair from the local hospital, you should be able to have it serviced by them as well at what would probably be known as the wheelchair centre. We've got one in our local hospital. I hear it's very good.

Your husband would be fitted for a chair that's comfortable for him, and, as you're his carer, you can let the hospital folk know what you can and cannot manage.
 

WIFE

Registered User
May 23, 2014
856
0
WEST SUSSEX
I had a Days Lightweight Foldable wheelchair for my husband - has all the attributes you mention and my husband was so comfortable that he often used to insist on having his lunch sitting in the wheelchair when we came back from our walks. Good luck WIFE
 

withy

Registered User
Feb 23, 2013
95
0
Lancashire
Thanks everyone for your replies, I will ask the GP but will look into that Days one, Wife. I like the idea of using it at lunchtime, its such a struggle getting him to sit on a kitchen chair.
 

esmeralda

Registered User
Nov 27, 2014
3,083
0
Devon
Hi Withy, our OT referred us to the wheelchair service down here (Plymouth). We had a long wait and I had to appeal their first decision (turned down because they didn't get enough info from the OT. Their form badly designed).
Good service when we did get it though. My husband was measured for the right size and it's very suitable. Supposed to be lightweight but I do struggle a bit to get it in the car, but such a help . You definitely need one with footrests. Hope you get what you need.
Es
x
 

Burberry

Registered User
Nov 3, 2011
8
0
Wheelchair

Hi

I got a really good wheelchair for my Mum last year. The company is CareCo UK Ltd and can be ordered on line. Its very light about 7-8 kgs easy to collapse and put up and goes in the back of my KA with the seat down. Its a 18" G-lite PROTR about £170.00 and worth every penny. Got a bag to go on the back too so shopping in much easier.
Good Luck Sheila
 

Quilty

Registered User
Aug 28, 2014
1,050
0
GLASGOW
I allso bought very light wheelchair online. Has safety belt and footrests. Best bit is handles fold so it fits easily in the boot. Cost 164 quid but cheaper than a sore back. Paid with mums disability allowance.
 

Izzy

Volunteer Moderator
Aug 31, 2003
73,994
0
72
Dundee
I allso bought very light wheelchair online. Has safety belt and footrests. Best bit is handles fold so it fits easily in the boot. Cost 164 quid but cheaper than a sore back. Paid with mums disability allowance.

That's exactly what we have but we got it from NHS.
 

withy

Registered User
Feb 23, 2013
95
0
Lancashire
Can you get straps to hold feet on the footrest? When I borrowed one he kept putting his foot on the ground. Thanks for all the advice.
 

Jessbow

Registered User
Mar 1, 2013
5,678
0
Midlands
Do you mean straps to stop hi lifting his feet? They usually have heel stops but not straps to strap feet down as such.

You might find a strap round the front of his shins more effective.
 

withy

Registered User
Feb 23, 2013
95
0
Lancashire
Do you mean straps to stop hi lifting his feet? They usually have heel stops but not straps to strap feet down as such.

You might find a strap round the front of his shins more effective.

Yes Jessbow, I need something to keep his feet on the footrest, and stop him putting his feet on the ground when its moving. Do they do shin straps then?
 

Danni

Registered User
Oct 4, 2014
12
0
Izzy. You can loan a wheelchair from the red cross for up to 3 months and all they ask is a small donation. Most loan centres will also sell second hand wheelchairs that have been donated to them. In my experience they are in excellent condition and some are brand new or hardly used. Just go to www.redcross.org.uk put in the area you live and it will tell you the nearest centre to you. X